SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir has recorded a steady rise in snakebite incidents over the past three years, with cases increasing from 636 in 2022 to 1,243 in 2024, according to data from the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP).
The number of deaths due to snakebites in JK has also risen, with 16 fatalities reported in 2024, compared to 13 in 2023.
In contrast, Ladakh has reported no snakebite cases or deaths in the last three years, likely due to its high-altitude terrain, which is not a natural habitat for venomous snakes.
According to data, there has been 95 percent increase in snakebite incidents in JK between 2022 and 2024, raising concerns about public awareness, access to treatment, and the availability of anti-snake venom in rural and remote areas.
To address the growing issue, the Government of India has launched multiple initiatives, including the National Action Plan for Prevention and Control of Snakebite Envenoming (NAPSE). These efforts focus on training healthcare workers in snakebite management and emergency care, ensuring the availability of anti-snake venom (ASV) at district and sub-district hospitals, and conducting public awareness campaigns through booklets, posters, and videos in regional languages to educate communities on snakebite prevention and first aid. (KNO)
